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In US, Coronavirus Prompts Calls for Voting Reform

Brian Padden

   Concerns are mounting that the coronavirus pandemic could
   disenfranchise large numbers of American voters in the U.S.
   presidential election. "

   This is a moment we have never experienced before with regards to
   elections in modern times," said David Daley, a senior fellow with the
   FairVote advocacy group.

   Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the United States have
   prompted government-mandated quarantines, and widespread advisories
   against public gathering have resulted in school closures and
   cancellation of performances, conferences, and sporting events across
   the country.

   Upcoming primaries

   The U.S. state of Louisiana on Friday postponed its primary election
   contest to select the Democratic and Republican Party nominees to run
   in the November presidential election. Citing the public health threat
   posed by the coronavirus, Louisiana pushed back its primary from April
   4 to June 20.

   The next state primaries are scheduled to be held on Tuesday in Ohio,
   Florida, Illinois and Arizona, and officials say they are taking
   precautions to protect public health.

   On Thursday, Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois encouraged local
   authorities to expand the hours for early voting prior to election day.

   "Voting early usually means avoiding any crowds," Pritzker said.

   The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends
   increasing drive-up voting, arriving at polling stations at nonpeak
   hours and maintaining social distancing space while waiting in line to
   minimize direct contact with people who may have been exposed to the
   virus.